Tengku Hassanal Begins Mount Kinabalu Climb For Mahkota Borneo Expedition

KUNDASANG, May 12  Mei (Bernama) -- The Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, today began his ascent of Mount Kinabalu in conjunction with the Mahkota Borneo Expedition.

The climb commenced at 8.05 am at Pondok Timpohon with the recitation of a “doa selamat” led by Sabah Mufti Datuk Ustaz Bungsu @ Aziz Jaafar.

Before starting the journey to the summit, Tengku Hassanal and his entourage were briefed by Sabah Parks Station Master (Panalaban Sub-Station) Julaimin Kamilt.

His Highness is leading a 56-member climbing group comprising officers and personnel from the Royal Malaysian Air Force Special Forces (PASKAU), as well as the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).

The Mahkota Borneo Expedition reflects the values of leadership, physical endurance and discipline that Tengku Hassanal consistently promotes among the younger generation and members of the nation’s security forces.

Standing at 4,095.2 metres above sea level, Mount Kinabalu is Malaysia’s highest peak. The climb typically takes two days and one night, with climbers required to rest overnight at Panalaban before continuing the ascent to the summit.

Located within the 754-square-kilometre Kinabalu Park, the mountain is part of Malaysia’s first United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Site, gazetted in 1964 as a biodiversity conservation area.

Kinabalu Park has also been recognised as a core area within the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark, which spans 4,750 square kilometres covering the districts of Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and parts of Ranau.

The geopark highlights Mount Kinabalu as a symbol of Sabah’s identity by integrating the state’s geological, biological and cultural heritage, which continue to shape the identity and traditions of local communities.

-- BERNAMA